8-Day Safari Nairobi: Amboseli, Rift Valley & Masai Mara
Track elephants at Amboseli, flamingos at Lake Nakuru, and the Big Five across Masai Mara
This 8-day safari tour from Nairobi covers four major parks and reserves across Kenya's wildlife zones: Amboseli National Park, Hell's Gate and Lake Nakuru in the Great Rift Valley, and Masai Mara National Reserve. You travel by private vehicle with a live guide in English or Spanish, stay in lodges at each stop, and spend mornings and afternoons on game drives. Pickup from your Nairobi hotel begins on day one at 8 am. The tour ends with a Masai village visit before return to Nairobi on day eight. A valid passport is required at booking.
Step-by-step itinerary
Day 1: Nairobi to Amboseli National Park
- Pickup from city hotel at 8 am
- Drive to Amboseli National Park
- Check in and have lunch
- Afternoon game drive
- View Mount Kilimanjaro
- Dinner and overnight at camp
Day 2: Amboseli National Park Exploration
- Breakfast at camp
- Morning game drive
- Lunch break
- Afternoon game drive
- Visit Masai Village
- Dinner and overnight at camp
Day 3: Amboseli to Lake Naivasha
- Breakfast at camp
- Drive to Lake Naivasha
- Check in and have lunch
- Game drive in Hell's Gate National Park
- Dinner and overnight at lodge
Day 4: Lake Naivasha to Lake Bogoria
- Breakfast at lodge
- Depart Lake Naivasha
- Lunch en route
- Arrive at Lake Bogoria
- View flamingos and lake scenery
- Dinner and overnight at hotel
Day 5: Lake Bogoria to Lake Nakuru
- Breakfast at hotel
- Drive to Lake Nakuru National Park
- Full day game drive
- See black and white rhinos
- Dinner and overnight at lodge
Day 6: Lake Nakuru to Masai Mara
- Breakfast at lodge
- Drive to Masai Mara National Reserve
- Lunch at lodge
- Afternoon game drive
- Dinner and overnight at camp
Day 7: Full Day Masai Mara Game Drive
- Breakfast at camp
- Full day game drive in reserve
- Picnic lunch in park
- Return to camp for dinner
- Overnight at camp
Day 8: Masai Mara to Nairobi
- Breakfast at camp
- Visit Masai village
- Depart to Nairobi
- Drop off at city hotel or airport
What’s included
- Private transportation throughout the 8 days.
- accommodation at lodges at each stop.
- all breakfast, lunch and dinner.
- morning and afternoon game drives at Amboseli, Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara.
- a game drive at Hell's Gate.
- Masai village cultural visits on day two and day eight.
- a live guide in English or Spanish.
- hotel pickup at 8 am on day one.
Times
- Every day 07:30
Before you book
Operated by African Home Adventure Safaris
Need assistance?Message us on WhatsApp or by emailTraveler reviews
The experience
The tour opens with an early pickup at 8 am from your Nairobi hotel and a drive south to Amboseli National Park. You check in, rest and have lunch, then head out for an afternoon game drive across the park's ancient lake bed and grasslands. Amboseli sits in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak, and the mountain's presence frames the landscape on clear mornings. The park is known for large herds of elephants moving through five different habitats, from dried-up lake beds to wetlands with sulphur springs to acacia woodlands.
Days two through five move you through the Great Rift Valley. After a full day of morning and afternoon game drives at Amboseli (with a Masai village cultural visit included), you drive to Lake Naivasha, where you can cycle or hike in Hell's Gate National Park in the afternoon. The next leg takes you to Lake Bogoria, a saline alkaline lake ringed by acacia trees where lesser flamingos gather in large numbers. Then comes Lake Nakuru, a rhino sanctuary holding over 40 black rhinos and 60 white rhinos. The lake is also home to nearly two million flamingos that form a deep pink band around the shoreline. Each stop includes a full day of game drives and overnight stays at lodges.
The final three days center on Masai Mara National Reserve, where the landscape opens into golden savannah. You arrive to lunch at your lodge, then go out for an introductory game drive. The next full day includes a picnic lunch served at the Mara River crossing point, where you search for the Big Five: lion (especially the reserve's black-maned males), leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino. From July onward, two million wildebeest cross the Mara River into the reserve. On the last morning, you visit a Masai village to learn about the culture before the drive back to Nairobi and drop-off at your hotel or the airport.
Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to see multiple ecosystems and wildlife in one trip. The 8-day span lets you spend full days at Amboseli and Masai Mara rather than rushing through them, and the Rift Valley lakes break up the drive with different habitats and species. The fixed itinerary and included transport mean you don't arrange park entry, logistics or timing yourself. Everything is coordinated so the sequence holds together.
Compare the 12 alternatives
Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English and Spanish.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (1 to 2 years): free.
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
What animals will I see on this 8-day safari?
Amboseli is known for large herds of elephants; Lake Nakuru holds over 40 black rhinos, 60 white rhinos and nearly two million flamingos; Masai Mara is one of the few places where you can see the Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino) on a single game drive. From July onward, two million wildebeest cross the Mara River into the reserve.
Does the tour include meals and accommodation?
Accommodation at lodges is included at each stop: Amboseli AA Lodge for the first two nights, Leisure Apex resort at Lake Naivasha, City Max Hotel or similar at Lake Bogoria and Lake Nakuru, and Enchoro Wildlife Camp superior tent at Masai Mara. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided throughout. Vegetarian options are available if you request them at booking.
What time does the tour start and how do I get picked up?
Pickup is at 8 am from your Nairobi hotel on day one. Private transportation is included for the entire 8 days, and you'll be dropped off at your city hotel or JKIA Airport on the final morning after visiting a Masai village.
Can I visit a Masai village on this tour?
Yes, Masai village cultural visits are included on day two at Amboseli and on the final morning before your return to Nairobi, so you can learn about Masai culture directly.
What is Hell's Gate National Park and what can I do there?
Hell's Gate is part of the Great Rift Valley stop on day three at Lake Naivasha. In addition to a game drive, optional activities include hiking, cycling among wildlife, and a boat ride on the lake.
What should I bring and what are the requirements?
A valid passport is required at booking and on the day of travel. You can bring a maximum of one suitcase and one carry-on bag. The operator recommends dressing appropriately for all weather conditions. Children from age 1 are welcome. Pregnant travelers are not recommended for this tour.
8-Day Safari Nairobi: Amboseli, Rift Valley & Masai Mara
8d · EN · ES
from US$ 2,800 per person
Next, you choose your date and number of travelers and see the final price.